[139]. Douglas of Beanjeddart, an ancient branch of the house of Cavers, possessing property near the junction of the Jed and Teviot. Hundlie.—Rutherford of Hundlie, or Hundalee, situated on the Jed above Jedburgh. Hunthill.—The old tower of Hunthill was situated about a mile above Jedburgh. It was the patrimony of an ancient family of Rutherfords. I suppose the person, here meant, to be the same who is renowned in tradition by the name of the Cock of Hunthill.—S.
[146]. Sir Andrew Turnbull of Bedrule, upon Rule Water.—S.
[149]. An ancient family of Rutherfords; I believe, indeed, the most ancient now extant.—S.
[150]. The parish of Kirktoun belonged, I believe, about this time, to a branch of the Cavers family; but Kirkton of Stewartfield is mentioned in the list of Border clans in 1597. Newton.—This is probably Grinyslaw of Little Newton, mentioned in the said roll of Border clans.—S.
THE DEATH OF PARCY REED.
Taken down from the recitation of an old woman, and first published (certainly not without what are called "improvements") in Richardson's Borderer's Table Book, vol. vii. p. 364, with an introduction by Mr. Robert White, which we here abridge.
Percival or Parcy Reed, was proprietor of Troughend, a tract of land in Redesdale, Northumberland, a man of courage and devoted to the chase. Having been appointed warden of the district, he had the misfortune in the discharge of his duties, to offend a family of the name of Hall, who were owners of the farm of Girsonsfield, and also to incur the enmity of a band of moss-troopers, Crosier by name, some of whom had been brought to justice by his hands. The Halls concealed their resentment until they were able to contrive an opportunity for taking a safe revenge.
In pursuance of this design, they requested Reed to join them on a hunting party. Their invitation was unsuspiciously accepted, and after a day of sport the company retired to a solitary hut in the lonely glen of Batinghope. Here Reed was attacked in the evening by the Crosiers, and as the Halls not only refused their assistance, but had treacherously deprived him of the means of defence by rendering his sword and gun unserviceable, he fell an easy victim to his savage foes.
It is probable that we cannot assign to the event on which this piece is founded, a date later than the sixteenth century.